US Authorities Crack Down on the ‘Wrong Number’ Crypto Scam
Individuals across the United States, including Ohio residents, are finally seeing justice as US authorities ramp up efforts to combat the burgeoning “wrong number” scam. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has identified 33 victims nationwide who fell prey to this crypto fraud, including a resident from Mentor. These unfortunate individuals have collectively lost over $4.9 million, with investigations ongoing to identify additional victims and accounts.
In a significant move, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio has filed a civil complaint to seize 8,207,578 Tether, valued at approximately $8.2 million. This action comes as a response to the victims being duped into investing in cryptocurrency scams initiated through unsolicited messages from unknown phone numbers.
The Modus Operandi: Unraveling the ‘Wrong Number’ Crypto Scam
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The collaboration between the FBI and the US Attorney’s Office in Northern Ohio is intensifying as they work tirelessly to dismantle these fraudulent networks. According to court documents and victim testimonies, scammers initiated contact through random phone numbers, feigning accidental communication.
Once contact was established, these scammers would engage the victims in friendly conversations to build trust, eventually persuading them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency ventures. The FBI has already confirmed 33 victims, with five more under investigation, leading to a staggering loss of more than $6 million.
A Detailed Account: From Initial Contact to Financial Loss
A victim identified as “A.H.” from Mentor, Ohio, recounted her experience. She received a message in November 2023 from someone claiming to have mistakenly contacted her. As their conversation progressed, the scammer, who portrayed themselves as a Seattle resident, discussed topics ranging from religion to hobbies.
After gaining her confidence, the scammer convinced “A.H.” to explore digital currency investments. Under the impression that she was making a promising investment, “A.H.” transferred $250,000 after setting up an account on Crypto.com. She was then instructed to send the funds to a designated crypto wallet.
Tracing the Trail: How Investigators Followed the Money
Following “A.H.’s” complaint, investigators promptly analyzed the blockchain to trace the transaction path. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center spearheaded the investigation, revealing that some funds were converted to Tether. With a federal seizure warrant in hand, Tether cooperated by freezing the assets and transferring them to the authorities.
On February 27th, acting US Attorney for Ohio, Carol Skutnik, alongside assistant US Attorney Morford, moved to ensure all recovered funds were directed to three crypto addresses, facilitating the return of the money to the defrauded victims.
